Cabinet door hinges are one of the biggest afterthoughts in home design but they often get the biggest workout in the home. Nary an hour goes by that someone isnt opening a cabinet somewhere in the home, whether its in the kitchen, pantry, bathroom or hallway. Most simply make do with the hinges that came with the cabinet. Only when they begin to squeak and sway in complaint about their endless exercise do we give thought to changing them. And only then do we only change the offending hinge that has failed to do its duty tightly and quietly. But changing out hinges can yield some exciting results in the home, particularly when they are visible hinges.

Another way to tell if it is a good idea to replace your doors with pre-hung replacements is if the rest of the doors already cant in their frames. You can square them yourself, but if you are planning to replace these doors, go for the pre-hung. They take much less time to replace and come in pre-finished or raw wood. One last thing, is your door a left- or right-hanging door? Hmmm...you think for a minute. Nope, you are sure you havent heard that one. Dont worry its easy. When you are buying any type of hinged door; storm door, entry door, and even cabinet doors, OR when you are buying hinged door hardware; hinges especially and sometimes latches, the salesperson will eventually ask you whether it is a right- or left-hanging door. The way you figure it out is, when you pull open the door; does it open to your left or to your right? Whichever way it opens is the answer.

Hinges are an integral part of architecture. Let us look at something as simple as a wooden box, with an attached lid. It opens easily because of the hinges. Hinges are primarily used for doors, and if you are considering renovating your home or building one from scratch, you might want to think about installing long lasting, and secure door hinges. Homes with children need doors with hinges for security purposes. The door which is adorned at the main entrance of a house, needs to be particularly secure as children often want to run out of the house at the slightest chance.

Butt hinges are the most familiar hinge style to most people and are found on every type of interior and exterior door. When selecting a butt hinge, consider the weight of the door and the level of usage. Youll find products in steel, brass and bronze rated from standard to heavy duty and with two, three or five knuckles. Adjustable spring hinges are also available in steel, brass and bronze. This type of hinge is less expensive than an automatic door closer for interior doors of hospitals, schools, hotels and other commercial buildings.

Door hinges have a thankless job. For most of their mundane lives, they simply swing back and forth, holding the door securely in its frame. Occasionally, they strain as children swing back and forth on the door handles. Other times, they shudder to a sudden stop as a door is thoughtlessly slammed. But when door hinges become a bit unhinged from years of use, they can not only cause doors to squeak, stick or rub, but allow heat to escape and cold to enter. Maintaining your door hinges is a simple process, something you can do once or twice a year. And it will keep your hinges working properly for years to come.